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HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong Meteorological Society Earthquake Detector Design Competition
Exhibition and Award Presentation Ceremony

07 May 2017

The Exhibition and Award Presentation Ceremony for Earthquake Detector Design Competition was held at the Grand Hall of the TsimShaTsui Kai Fong Welfare Association (TSTKFA) on May 6 (Saturday).

The Earthquake Detector Design Competition was jointly organised by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Meteorological Society (HKMetSoc), under the project titled “Earthquake in Hong Kong?” It was supported by the Knowledge Exchange Fund of the University Grant Committee.

There are about two felt earth tremors in Hong Kong each year. Based on latest seismic hazard studies, the seismicity of Hong Kong is classified as ‘low to moderate’ and as such, Hong Kong cannot be considered as totally free of seismic risks.

The competition was the first of its kind in Hong Kong with a primary objective to enhance knowledge of and interest in information technology and seismological instrumentation among the young generations.　

Over 450 participants from primary, secondary and international schools ranging from Primary 4 to Secondary 6, divided into junior and senior categories, joined the competition. They were required to design their own earthquake detector to compete for the Champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, the most innovative earthquake detector award, the most attractive earthquake detector award, the most effective earthquake detector award and the best presentation award as set out for the Junior and Senior categories respectively. In November to December 2016, a series of workshops on engineering and seismology, talks and visits were organised for students for their understanding of various earthquake detection methods and enabling them to make innovative, effective and attractive earthquake detector.

At the award presentation ceremony, the HKU Dean of Engineering, Professor Norman C. Tien, said: “I am very impressed by all our participating students who have demonstrated their innovative ideas in this competition. I am most delighted to see all the creative designs here. Students are so talented in building effective earthquake detecting devices that we have all seen here today. We hope by participating in this competition, students will develop an interest in engineering.”

Also officiating at the ceremony, Mr Edwin Lai, Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, was impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of the students.  He said: "Given the challenges in seismological measurement, the participants should be applauded for their effort in coming up with detectors that are both practical and reliable within just a few months."

The Vice-chairman of HK MetSoc, Dr P W Li said: “I am deeply impressed by the wide variety of the earthquake detectors designed and prototyped by the participants.  Some designs look simple but practical, while some complex and elegant, but no matter how, there is one thing common is that they are all embraced by the students’ innovation and sweat.  I eagerly wish some of them could revolutionize the future earthquake detection technology so as to bring benefits to the global society.” ”

The list of awardees of the “Earthquake Detector Design Competition” and photos can be found at: http://www.cs.hku.hk/~quake/AwardWinnerList-English.php.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Melanie Wan, Communications and Public Affairs Office, HKU (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk) or Ms Esther Lau, Faculty of Engineering, HKU (Tel: 3917 1924 / E-mail: estherlc@hku.hk) or Dr. Ivy Wong, Project Coordinator (E-mail: kywong@cs.hku.hk)